Juraj Herz

Slovakia

Biography

Juraj Herz (*1934, Kežmarok) studied at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague to complete his studies in direction and acting at the Department of Puppetry in 1958. Since then he has lived in Czech Republic. He is among the legends of Czechoslovak cinematography. He entered the world of film over half a century ago as a talented and original film-maker who moves with equal confidence and grace across genres, from psychological drama, through comedy and tragic grotesque, to compelling story with mysterious atmosphere. As assistant director he worked on the Oscar-winning film The Shop on the Main Street, in which is also acted. In 1987 he emigrated to Germany where he made films and series for German, Austrian, French and American television companies. His cult films include The Cremator (1968), Sweet Amusements of Past Summer (1969) and Oil Lamps (1971). Is works earned him innumerable domestic and international awards, including festival prices at Karlovy Vary, Monte Carlo and Chicago.

Comments

“I left Slovakia when I was twenty. Ever since then I was coming back essentially as a foreigner. I was a bit frightened, when I received the invitation, as I was wondering what I could come up with for the film. Then I remembered how much fun I had when my native Kežmarok awarded me the Honorary Citizenship and I realised that it could be turned to a satire..."

What is “Slovakia”? How to explain the notion of “Slovakia” of the past 20 years to an unknown stranger, a visitor from another planet? What is the genetic makeup or the software for “Slovakia”? How to use it? How does it change?

News

David Čálek‘s successful documentary Climbing Higher about Czech climber Radek Jaroš, which won at the BANFF festival, is available for FREE streaming in the online documentary cinema DAFilms.com from December 8 to 11.

For 3.99 euro, you can get a selection of documentaries that entered Czech cinematic distribution in 2016 as well as access to another 1500 films from around the world. Dear friends, please, do not forget that you can give an ideal present not only to your intellectual friends but also to yourselves.

The 33rd edition of FAMUFEST, a competition display of films made by students of Prague’s FAMU, will be held on November 23 to 27 at Prague’s Letná District. Like in the past year, it will take place at Bio Oko, plus at the new venues of Studio Hrdinů and Café Jedna.